The present invention relates to a solar wavelength conversion material with improved efficiency, and a solar cell comprising same. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a solar wavelength conversion material comprising an aluminum hydroxide precursor, and a lanthanide ion or a derivative containing same.

The use of scintillator compositions having a cubic garnet structure for gamma detection in downhole oil and gas explorations is provided. Specifically, two primary compositions of interest are disclosed, Ca.sub.2LnHf.sub.2Al.sub.3O.sub.12 and NaLn.sub.2Hf.sub.2Al.sub.3O.sub.12, where Ln is Y, Gd, Tb, or La. Under gamma ray excitation, the electron-hole pairs produced in the garnet lattice structure are trapped by an activator ion to yield an efficient emission in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The cubic garnet structure enables the use of these materials as ceramic scintillators with considerable advantages over related single crystals in various ways as disclosed herein, including reduction in cost and improvement in overall performance and durability.

Provided is a wavelength conversion member that is less decreased in luminescence intensity with time by irradiation with light of an LED or LD and a light emitting device using the wavelength conversion member. A wavelength conversion member is formed of an inorganic phosphor dispersed in a glass matrix, wherein the glass matrix contains, in % by mole, 30 to 85% SiO.sub.2, 4.3 to 20% B.sub.2O.sub.3, 0 to 25% Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 0 to 3% Li.sub.2O, 0 to 3% Na.sub.2O, 0 to 3% K.sub.2O, 0 to 3% Li.sub.2O+Na.sub.2O+K.sub.2O, 0 to 35% MgO, 0 to 35% CaO, 0 to 35% SrO, 0 to 35% BaO, 0.1 to 45% MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, and 0 to 5% ZnO, and the inorganic phosphor is at least one selected from the group consisting of an oxide phosphor, a nitride phosphor, an oxynitride phosphor, a chloride phosphor, an oxychloride phosphor, a halide phosphor, an aluminate phosphor, and a halophosphoric acid chloride phosphor.

A premixed photoluminescent composition and related hardened form and method of forming joints for pavers or stones. The premixed photoluminescent composition comprises solid aggregates; a photoluminescent particulate component adapted to emit light when photoexcited; and a binder. When in contact with an activator, oxygen or water, the binder is adapted to harden into a water-resistant binder matrix that bonds the solid aggregates and embeds the photoluminescent particulate component. In use, the water-resistant binder matrix has a transparency allowing transmission of at least a portion of the light emitted by the photoluminescent particulate component.

A wavelength conversion element includes a substrate, a reflective layer, an inorganic light luminescence layer and an organic light luminescence layer. The reflective layer is disposed over the substrate. The inorganic light luminescence layer is disposed over the reflective layer and includes a first fluorescent material. The organic light luminescence layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the inorganic light luminescence layer, and includes a second fluorescent material. A refractive index of the inorganic light luminescence layer is greater than that of the organic light luminescence layer, and a thickness of the inorganic light luminescence layer is greater than a thickness of the organic light luminescence layer.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mechanoluminescent material which can be exhibit brighter luminescence compared to traditional SAO mechanoluminescent material even with respect to small strains and which has a relatively high mechanoluminescent capability even when left to stand for a long period of time after excitation. Provided is a strontium aluminate mechanoluminescent material containing Zr ions, characterized in that the Zr ions are contained in a reduced state, the content of the Zr ions is 10 mol % or less, and in a thermoluminescence measurement, one or more luminescence peaks are observed at a temperature of 100° C. or higher.

A lighting apparatus includes light emitting elements having an emission peak wavelength of 400 to 510 nm, a first phosphor having an emission peak wavelength of 485 to 700 nm, a second phosphor having an emission peak wavelength of 510 to 590 nm, a third phosphor having an emission peak wavelength of 600 to 700 nm, and a color filter having transmittance for light with a wavelength of 600 to 730 nm that is 80% or more and transmittance for light with a wavelength of 410 to 480 nm that is 3% or more and 50% or less. The color filter transmits a part of light emitted from the first phosphor, at least a part of light emitted from the second phosphor, and at least a part of light emitted from the third phosphor. Light transmitted through the color filter is emitted to the outside.

A wavelength conversion member converts a wavelength of laser light. The wavelength conversion member includes a substrate having reflectivity with respect to the laser light, and a phosphor layer including a phosphor for converting the laser light into light having a longer wavelength than that of the laser light, the phosphor layer being on the substrate. The phosphor layer includes a plurality of concave parts, each having a depth of 50% or more and 80% or less with respect to a film thickness of the phosphor layer and an opening width of 50 μm or more, on a surface of the phosphor layer, the surface irradiated with the laser light. A distance between adjacent concave parts of the plurality of concave parts is smaller than a spot diameter of the laser light to be emitted to the surface of the phosphor layer.

A thermally luminescent temperature sensor with a rare earth emitter having a first selective electromagnetic light energy emission band and a second selective electromagnetic light energy emission band in which the rare earth emitter converts thermal energy to electromagnetic light energy within the first and second selective energy emission bands. The sensor also has a selective optical detector in optical communication with the rare earth emitter, wherein the selective optical detector independently detects each the first and second selective electromagnetic light energy emission bands. Lastly, the thermally luminescent temperature sensor determines the temperature based on the electromagnetic light energy measured within the first and second selective energy emission bands relative to each other. Optionally additional emission bands may be used in the evaluation of the temperature.

A luminescent material can include an element or an interstitial site that provides a hole trap in the luminescent material; a first dopant that provides a first electron trap in the luminescent material; and a second dopant that provides a second electron trap in the luminescent material, wherein the second dopant is a relatively shallower electron trap as compared to the first dopant. In an embodiment, a ratio of the first dopant to the second dopant is in a range of 10:1 to 100:1 on an atomic basis. In another embodiment, a ratio of the first dopant to the second dopant is selected so that luminescent material has a lower average value for a departure from perfect linearity in a range of 5 keV to 20 keV that is less to other luminescent materials of the same base compound. The luminescent material may not be a rare earth halide.